MLB Power Rankings: Post-May Breakdown

The month of May is now in the rear-view mirror, and that means the 2013 MLB season is already over two months old. Things have seemingly flown by to this point, but there is still a ton of baseball to be played between now and October.

That said, two months is a big enough sample size that we now have a pretty good idea of what the landscape of the league is going to look like this season as far as who has a chance to contend and who doesn't.

As we pass the two-month mark, here is a look at where all 30 teams currently stand, as well as who each team's MVP and Cy Young has been to this point. For the sake of this argument, only position players were considered for MVP.

Be sure to check back here each Monday for an updated look at where your favorite team ranks.

30. Miami Marlins (16-41, Previous: 30)

Last Week's Results: 3-4

at Tampa Bay Rays (0-2)
vs. Tampa Bay Rays (0-2)
vs. New York Mets (3-0)

Two-Month MVP: CF Justin Ruggiano

The 31-year-old Ruggiano came out of nowhere last year to post a .909 OPS with 13 home runs and 14 steals in 288 at-bats. He's hitting just .209 this season, but he leads the anemic Marlins offense with eight home runs and 22 RBI to go along with seven stolen bases.

Two-Month Cy Young: SP Jose Fernandez

Had it not been for injuries to Nathan Eovaldi and Henderson Alvarez, the Marlins likely would have shipped the 20-year-old Fernandez to Double-A to start the season. Instead, he cracked the rotation out of camp and has gone 3-3 with a 3.34 ERA through 11 starts just one year after dominating at the High-A level.

This Week's Opponents

at Philadelphia Phillies (3)
at New York Mets (3)

29. Milwaukee Brewers (21-34, Previous: 26)

Last Week's Results: 2-5

vs. Minnesota Twins (0-2)
at Minnesota Twins (0-2)
at Philadelphia Phillies (2-1)

Two-Month MVP: SS Jean Segura

Though they've had to deal with injuries to Corey Hart and Aramis Ramirez, the Brewers offense has remained solid thanks to a breakout season from Segura. The 23-year-old was acquired from the Angels in the Zack Greinke deal, and he is currently leading the NL with a .350 batting average to go along with a .940 OPS. 

Two-Month Cy Young: RP Jim Henderson

A 26th-round pick all the way back in 2003, Henderson made his big-league debut last season, and he started in a setup role. However, after John Axford struggled early, Henderson was moved into the ninth-inning role. He's 9-for-9 on save chances with a 0.92 ERA in 20 appearances so far.

This Week's Opponents

vs. Oakland Athletics (3)
vs. Philadelphia Phillies (4)

28. Houston Astros (20-37, Previous: 29)

Last Week's Results: 6-1

vs. Colorado Rockies (1-1)
at Colorado Rockies (2-0)
at Los Angeles Angels (3-0)

Two-Month MVP: 2B Jose Altuve

The Astros' lone All-Star representative last season, Altuve appears to be a candidate for that distinction once again. The young second baseman is hitting .297/.336/.388, and he looks to be one of the few building blocks for the future currently on the Astros roster.

Two-Month Cy Young: SP Bud Norris

One of the only veterans on the Houston roster, Norris is 5-4 with a 3.39 ERA through his first 12 starts this season. He's setting himself up to be one of the more sought-after trade chips come July.

This Week's Opponent

at Los Angeles Angels (1)
vs. Baltimore Orioles (3)
at Kansas City Royals (3) 

27. New York Mets (22-32, Previous: 28)

Last Week's Results: 4-3

vs. New York Yankees (2-0)
at New York Yankees (2-0)
at Miami Marlins (0-3)

Two-Month MVP: 3B David Wright

Signed to an eight-year, $134 million extension this past winter, Wright will be the face of the franchise as they look to return to contention in the years ahead. He's been their best hitter again this season, with seven home runs and 30 RBI to go along with a .374 on-base percentage.

Two-Month Cy Young: SP Matt Harvey

Even after posting a 2.73 ERA and 10.6 K/9 over 10 starts as a rookie last season, it's safe to say that few expected Harvey to be this good so quickly. He's 5-0 with a 2.17 ERA and 89 strikeouts in 83 innings of work so far this season and has been one of the few bright spots so far for the Mets.

This Week's Opponents

at Washington Nationals (3)
vs. Miami Marlins (3) 

26. Kansas City Royals (23-31, Previous: 22)

Last Week's Results: 2-5

vs. St. Louis Cardinals (0-2)
at St. Louis Cardinals (1-1)
at Texas Rangers (1-2)

Two-Month MVP: LF Alex Gordon

A late bloomer after looking like a huge bust early in his career, Gordon has become one of the league's best all-around outfielders. He's hitting .326/.369/.482 with team highs of six home runs and 31 RBI, as he's been the only standout hitter for a disappointing Kansas City offense.

Two-Month Cy Young: SP James Shields

The Royals made a bold decision this past offseason when they shipped a number of their top prospects, including Wil Myers, to the Tampa Bay Rays to land Shields. Though his 2-6 record doesn't reflect it, he's been the ace they hoped he'd be with a 2.83 ERA and 1.05 WHIP through 12 starts.

This Week's Opponents

vs. Minnesota Twins (3)
vs. Houston Astros (3) 

25. Seattle Mariners (24-33, Previous: 24)

Last Week's Results: 3-4

vs. San Diego Padres (1-1)
at San Diego Padres (1-1)
at Minnesota Twins (1-2)

Two-Month MVP: 1B Kendrys Morales

After three straight seasons as the lowest-scoring offense in the AL, the Mariners made a handful of offseason additions in an effort to improve their firepower, and Morales has been the team's best newcomer. Acquired for left-hander Jason Vargas, the slugger is hitting .300/.366/.490 with eight home runs and 33 RBI, though the team's offense as a whole has still been pedestrian.

Two-Month Cy Young: SP Hisashi Iwakuma

In what was the most underrated move of the offseason, the Mariners re-signed Iwakuma to a two-year, $14 million deal when he posted an 8-4 record with a 2.65 ERA in 16 starts upon joining the rotation. He has out-pitched ace Felix Hernandez in the early going this season, going 6-1 with a 2.13 ERA and 0.87 WHIP.

This Week's Opponents

vs. Chicago White Sox (3)
vs. New York Yankees (4) 

24. Los Angeles Dodgers (23-32, Previous: 23)

Last Week's Results: 3-4

vs. Los Angeles Angels (2-0)
at Los Angeles Angels (0-2)
at Colorado Rockies (1-2)

Two-Month MVP: 1B Adrian Gonzalez

The Dodgers have added a ton of payroll over the past year, and chief among them was the $127 million that Gonzalez was still owed heading into this season. After seeing his power numbers drop last year, he's hitting .326 with seven home runs and 41 RBI.

Two-Month Cy Young: SP Clayton Kershaw

After leading the NL in ERA each of the past two seasons, and off to another dominant start this year, a legitimate argument can be made for Kershaw being the best pitcher in the game today. He's 5-3 with a 1.85 ERA and 82 strikeouts in 87.1 innings of work, and he looks like the man to beat for NL Cy Young. 

This Week's Opponents

vs. San Diego Padres (3)
vs. Atlanta Braves (4) 

23. Chicago White Sox (24-30, Previous: 17)

Last Week's Results: 0-6

vs. Chicago Cubs (0-1)
at Chicago Cubs (0-2)
at Oakland Athletics (0-3)

Two-Month MVP: RF Alex Rios

Following a disastrous 2011 in which he hit just .227 with 13 home runs in 537 at-bats, Rios bounced back with a great season last year. The question was which player would show up in 2013. So far, it's been the good Rios once again, as he's hitting .283 with 10 home runs and an .842 OPS.

Two-Month Cy Young: SP Chris Sale

After spending the first two seasons of his career pitching out of the bullpen, Sale moved to the rotation last year and immediately emerged as one of the best starters in all of baseball with a 17-8 record and 3.05 ERA. The White Sox are struggling, but he continues to pitch well, as he's 5-3 with a 2.44 ERA on the season.

This Week's Opponents

at Seattle Mariners (3)
vs. Oakland Athletics (4) 

22. Toronto Blue Jays (24-33, Previous: 21)

Last Week's Results: 3-4

vs. Atlanta Braves (1-1)
at Atlanta Braves (1-1)
at San Diego Padres (1-2)

Two-Month MVP: RF Jose Bautista

Still one of the most dangerous sluggers in all of baseball, Bautista has stayed relatively healthy this season and is once again putting up terrific numbers. He has a .268/.374/.521 line with 12 home runs, 29 RBI and a team-high 35 runs scored. 

Two-Month Cy Young: RP Casey Janssen

Forced into the closer's role last season after Sergio Santos went down with an injury, Janssen converted 22-of-25 save chances and locked down the job entering this season. The 31-year-old has been terrific again so far in 2013 at a perfect 11-for-11 on saves with a 2.12 ERA and 9.5 K/9.

This Week's Opponents

at San Francisco Giants (2)
vs. Texas Rangers (3)

21. Chicago Cubs (23-32, Previous: 25)

Last Week's Results: 4-2

at Chicago White Sox (1-0)
vs. Chicago White Sox (2-0)
vs. Arizona Diamondbacks (1-2)

Two-Month MVP: 1B Anthony Rizzo

After hitting 15 home runs and posting an .805 OPS in 337 at-bats last season, big things were expected from Rizzo in his first full campaign, and he has not disappointed. He has 29 extra-base hits in his first 215 at-bats this season, including 10 home runs, and his strong early season play earned him a seven-year, $41 million extension.

Two-Month Cy Young: SP Travis Wood

Acquired in the trade that sent Sean Marshall to the Cincinnati Reds prior to last season, Wood has really come into his own this year and looks to be a big part of the Cubs' future plans. Through 11 starts, he's 5-3 with a 2.75 ERA and he has turned in a quality start in all but one of his appearances.

This Week's Opponents

at Los Angeles Angels (2)
vs. Pittsburgh Pirates (3) 

20. Los Angeles Angels (25-32, Previous: 19)

Last Week's Results: 2-5

at Los Angeles Dodgers (0-2)
vs. Los Angeles Dodgers (2-0)
vs. Houston Astros (0-3)

Two-Month MVP: CF Mike Trout

Coming off of what was arguably the best rookie season in league history, the question entering 2013 was just how good Trout could be. So far, he's been great once again, with a .914 OPS, 10 home runs and 12 steals. He is a dynamic all-around threat in the Angels lineup.

Two-Month Cy Young: SP Jason Vargas

Vargas was quietly one of the most consistent pitchers in the American League last season, going 14-11 with a 3.85 ERA while reaching the 200-inning mark for the second straight season. The Angels acquired him from Seattle for Kendrys Morales, and he's gone 5-3 with a 3.34 ERA in his first 11 starts this season.

This Week's Opponents

vs. Houston Astros (1)
vs. Chicago Cubs (2)
at Boston Red Sox (3) 

19. Minnesota Twins (25-29, Previous: 27)

Last Week's Results: 6-1

at Milwaukee Brewers (2-0)
vs. Milwaukee Brewers (2-0)
vs. Seattle Mariners (2-1)

Two-Month MVP: C Joe Mauer

After an injury-plagued 2011 season, Mauer bounced back last year and proved he was still one of the best in the business when he led the AL with a .416 OBP. He's been great again this season, hitting .335/.417/.490 with a team-high 35 runs scored. If he could get some support from someone other than Justin Morneau in the lineup, his numbers could be even better.

Two-Month Cy Young: SP Kevin Correia

The Twins added a trio of starters this offseason in an effort to improve the team's biggest weakness, and while Vance Worley and Mike Pelfrey have struggled, Correia has proven to be a solid pickup. He's 5-4 with a 4.09 ERA, though he's not pitched nearly as well of late after going 2-1 with a 2.86 ERA through his first four starts of the year.

This Week's Opponents

at Kansas City Royals (3)
at Washington Nationals (3) 

18. Philadelphia Phillies (27-30, Previous: 18)

Last Week's Results: 3-4

at Boston Red Sox (1-1)
vs. Boston Red Sox (1-1)
vs. Milwaukee Brewers (1-2)

Two-Month MVP: LF Domonic Brown

Ranked as the No. 4 prospect in baseball entering the 2011 season, according to Baseball America, Brown was expected to be a star for the Phillies two seasons ago. It's taken longer than anticipated, but he appears to have finally arrived this season, as he's hitting .282 with an NL-high 16 home runs and 40 RBI.

Two-Month Cy Young: SP Cliff Lee

It was an odd 2012 season for Lee, as he went just 6-9 despite a 3.16 ERA and 207 strikeouts over 30 starts. The Phillies' once-vaunted pitching staff is a shell of what it once was, but Lee remains a stud, as he's 7-2 with a 2.45 ERA through his first 12 starts.

This Week's Opponents

vs. Miami Marlins (3)
at Milwaukee Brewers (4)

17. San Diego Padres (26-30, Previous: 20)

Last Week's Results: 4-3

at Seattle Mariners (1-1)
vs. Seattle Mariners (1-1)
vs. Toronto Blue Jays (2-1)

Two-Month MVP: 2B Jedd Gyorko

Coming off of back-to-back 100-RBI seasons in the minors, Gyorko has been one of the most productive second basemen in the league so far this season as a rookie. The 24-year-old is hitting .274/.335/.433 with 14 doubles and six home runs.

Two-Month Cy Young: SP Jason Marquis

Released by the Twins last season after posting an 8.47 ERA through seven starts, Marquis caught on with the Padres and went 6-7 with a 4.04 ERA in 15 starts for them last season. San Diego re-signed him to a one-year, $3 million deal in the offseason, and he's 6-2 with a 3.82 ERA through 11 starts.

This Week's Opponents

at Los Angeles Dodgers (3)
at Colorado Rockies (4) 

16. Washington Nationals (28-29, Previous: 14)

Last Week's Results: 2-5

vs. Baltimore Orioles (1-1)
at Baltimore Orioles (0-2)
at Atlanta Braves (1-2)

Two-Month MVP: LF Bryce Harper

After a fantastic rookie year that saw him hit 22 home runs and steal 18 bases as a 19-year-old, Harper has continued his emergence as a superstar in his second season. He leads the team with 12 home runs despite missing some time with injuries and has a .973 OPS.

Two-Month Cy Young: SP Jordan Zimmermann

Overshadowed by the terrific numbers of teammates Stephen Strasburg and Gio Gonzalez, Zimmermann had a very good 2012 season, going 12-8 with a 2.94 ERA. He's undoubtedly been the team's best pitcher this season, though, as he's 8-3 with a 2.37 ERA and 0.94 WHIP. The 27-year-old pitcher is just entering his prime.

This Week's Opponents

vs. New York Mets (3)
vs. Minnesota Twins (3) 

15. Cleveland Indians (30-26, Previous: 15)

Last Week's Results: 3-4

at Cincinnati Reds (0-2)
vs. Cincinnati Reds (2-0)
vs. Tampa Bay Rays (1-2)

Two-Month MVP: 3B Mark Reynolds

While the signings of Nick Swisher and Michael Bourn garnered the most headlines in Cleveland, Reynolds has been the team's best pickup. Signed to a one-year, $6 million deal, the slugger has hit 13 home runs with 41 RBI and an .825 OPS.

Two-Month Cy Young: SP Justin Masterson

It seemed as though Masterson turned a corner when he went 12-10 with a 3.21 ERA in 2011, but he followed that up with an 11-15, 4.93 ERA season last year and entered the season as a question mark. The Opening Day starter has looked every bit the part of staff ace so far with an 8-3 record and 3.07 ERA, including a pair of shutouts.

This Week's Opponents

at New York Yankees (3)
at Detroit Tigers (3) 

14. Colorado Rockies (30-27, Previous: 11)

Last Week's Results: 3-4

at Houston Astros (1-1)
vs. Houston Astros (0-2)
vs. Los Angeles Dodgers (2-1)

Two-Month MVP: SS Troy Tulowitzki

The foursome of Tulowitzki, Carlos Gonzalez, Michael Cuddyer and Dexter Fowler have combined for 46 home runs and 139 RBI and all four are hitting over .290. The biggest producer so far has been Tulowitzki, though, as he's bounced back from playing just 47 games last season to hit .339 with 12 home runs and 43 RBI so far.

Two-Month Cy Young: RP Rex Brothers

A healthy Jorge De La Rosa (7-3, 3.10 ERA) has pitched like a staff ace, but there is just no ignoring what Brothers has done through the end of May. Through 27 appearances, he's thrown 24.2 innings and allowed just 18 hits and one earned run for an ERA of 0.36. He's been the best setup man in baseball to this point, and he looks like a future closer.

This Week's Opponents

at Cincinnati Reds (3)
vs. San Diego Padres (4) 

13. New York Yankees (31-25, Previous: 8)

Last Week's Results: 1-6

at New York Mets (0-2)
vs. New York Mets (0-2)
vs. Boston Red Sox (1-2)

Two-Month MVP: 2B Robinson Cano

The contributions of Vernon Wells, Travis Hafner and Lyle Overbay can't be overstated, but Cano has undoubtedly been the team's best hitter to this point. A free-agent-to-be, the second baseman is positioning himself for an enormous payday, hitting .291 with 14 home runs and 36 RBI.

Two-Month Cy Young: RP Mariano Rivera

All due respect to Hiroki Kuroda (6-4, 2.59 ERA), who is having a great season, but the pick here has to be Rivera. Set to retire at season's end and coming off of a torn ACL, he's having one of his best seasons to date, converting 19-of-20 save chances with a 1.77 ERA.

This Week's Opponents

vs. Cleveland Indians (3)
at Seattle Mariners (4) 

12. San Francisco Giants (30-27, Previous: 9)

Last Week's Results: 2-5

at Oakland Athletics (0-2)
vs. Oakland Athletics (1-1)
at St. Louis Cardinals (1-2)

Two-Month MVP: C Buster Posey

The reigning NL MVP, Posey got off to a slow start this season, hitting .231 with zero home runs through his first 16 games. He's turned things around quickly from there, though, and he is currently hitting .308/.391/.514 with seven home runs and 31 RBI in the middle of an improved Giants lineup.

Two-Month Cy Young: SP Madison Bumgarner

With Matt Cain pitching far from ace form and Ryan Vogelsong struggling mightily before hitting the DL, Bumgarner has been the Giants' best pitcher this season. The 23-year-old is 4-4 with a 3.46 ERA and opponents are hitting just .209 against him.

This Week's Opponents

vs. Toronto Blue Jays (2)
at Arizona Diamondbacks (3) 

11. Detroit Tigers (30-25, Previous: 2)

Last Week's Results: 2-5

vs. Pittsburgh Pirates (1-1)
at Pittsburgh Pirates (0-2)
at Baltimore Orioles (1-2)

Two-Month MVP: 3B Miguel Cabrera

What do you do for an encore when you win the first Triple Crown since 1967? How about become the first player to ever win it back-to-back? Cabrera has been a stud once again this season, leading the AL with a .367 average and 65 RBI and ranking second with 17 home runs.

Two-Month Cy Young: SP Max Scherzer

With Justin Verlander looking downright human this season (7-4, 3.70 ERA), the honor goes to one of the team's other three frontline arms in Scherzer. The right-hander came into his own in the second half last year when he went 8-2 with a 2.69 ERA, and so far this season, he's 7-0 with a 3.42 ERA and 91 strikeouts in 76.1 innings.

This Week's Opponents

vs. Tampa Bay Rays (3)
vs. Cleveland Indians (3) 

10. Tampa Bay Rays (31-25, Previous: 16)

Last Week's Results: 6-1

vs. Miami Marlins (2-0)
at Miami Marlins (2-0)
at Cleveland Indians (2-1)

Two-Month MVP: 1B James Loney

The Rays offense has been substantially improved so far this season. Evan Longoria and Kelly Johnson are both having great years, but the bounce-back play of James Loney has been the biggest surprise. After hitting just .249 last season, he has a .326 batting average and .919 OPS so far this year.

Two-Month Cy Young: SP Matt Moore

The No. 2 prospect in baseball entering last season, according to Baseball America, Moore was something of a disappointment last season when he went 11-11 with a 3.81 ERA as a rookie. He's been a stud so far this year, though, going 8-0 with a 2.18 ERA with opponents hitting just .178 against him.

This Week's Opponents

at Detroit Tigers (3)
vs. Baltimore Orioles (3) 

9. Baltimore Orioles (32-25, Previous: 13)

Last Week's Results: 5-2

at Washington Nationals (1-1)
vs. Washington Nationals (2-0)
vs. Detroit Tigers (2-1)

Two-Month MVP: 1B Chris Davis

A case can certainly be made for Manny Machado (.869 OPS, 32 XBH), but the pick here has to be Davis. After hitting 33 home runs in a breakout year in 2012, the slugger is the first to 20 home runs this season, with a .357 average and 52 RBI to boot.

Two-Month Cy Young: RP Tommy Hunter

The starting rotation is once again a major question mark for the Orioles, and while their bullpen has not been quite as dominant, Hunter has been lights-out. After allowing three earned runs through his first 3.2 innings of work, he's allowed just three more over his last 27.1 innings. Overall, he's 3-1 with a 1.74 ERA and opponents are hitting just .205 against him.

This Week's Opponents

at Houston Astros (3)
at Tampa Bay Rays (3)

8. Boston Red Sox (35-23, Previous: 7)

Last Week's Results: 4-3

vs. Philadelphia Phillies (1-1)
at Philadelphia Phillies (1-1)
at New York Yankees (2-1)

Two-Month MVP: DH David Ortiz

After missing the first 15 games of the season, Ortiz picked up right where he left off last year when he hit .319 with 23 home runs and 60 RBI before an Achilles injury ended his season on July 16. Through 144 at-bats so far this season, he's hitting .333/.405/.618 with 10 home runs and 36 RBI.

Two-Month Cy Young: SP Clay Buchholz

After going 17-7 with a 2.33 ERA in 2010, Buchholz went just 17-11 with a 4.24 ERA over the past two seasons and need to come back in a big way this season. He's done just that, going 8-0 with a 1.62 ERA and 1.02 WHIP so far this season, as he and Jon Lester are both enjoying bounce-back seasons atop the Red Sox rotation.

This Week's Opponents

vs. Texas Rangers (3)
vs. Los Angeles Angels (3) 

7. Arizona Diamondbacks (32-24, Previous: 12)

Last Week's Results: 4-2

vs. Texas Rangers (2-0)
at Texas Rangers (0-1)
at Chicago Cubs (2-1)

Two-Month MVP: 1B Paul Goldschmidt

Goldschmidt finished his first full big-league season last year with 20 home runs and 18 steals while hitting .286. He's taken his game to another level this year, though, hitting .337 with 13 home runs and an NL-high 46 RBI as he looks to push Joey Votto for the title of top first baseman in the NL.

Two-Month Cy Young: SP Patrick Corbin

As a rookie last season, Corbin went 6-8 with a 4.54 ERA in 22 games (17 starts) and he entered the spring battling for the No. 5 spot in the rotation. He's been far from a back-of-the-rotation arm so far this year, though, as he's 9-0 with a 2.06 ERA and ranks as perhaps the biggest surprise breakout star of 2013.

This Week's Opponents

at St. Louis Cardinals (4)
vs. San Francisco Giants (3) 

6. Oakland Athletics (34-24, Previous: 10)

Last Week's Results: 6-1

vs. San Francisco Giants (2-0)
at San Francisco Giants (1-1)
vs. Chicago White Sox (3-0)

Two-Month MVP: 3B Josh Donaldson

Demoted last season after hitting just .153 through June 13, Donaldson returned to post a 1.000 OPS with 13 home runs and 45 RBI in 51 games down the stretch. He's continued to build off that to start this season, hitting .319 with eight home runs and 34 RBI while continuing to play plus defense at third.

Two-Month Cy Young: RP Grant Balfour

The entire A's bullpen has been terrific this season, as they lead the AL with a 2.80 ERA, and Balfour has been their best reliever. After an up-and-down 2012 season that saw him lose the closer job early in the season but bounce back to go 17-for-17 on saves over the final two months, he has been perfect so far this year at 13-for-13 with a 1.48 ERA.

This Week's Opponents

at Milwaukee Brewers (3)
at Chicago White Sox (4) 

5. Atlanta Braves (34-22, Previous: 5)

Last Week's Results: 4-3

at Toronto Blue Jays (1-1)
vs. Toronto Blue Jays (1-1)
vs. Washington Nationals (2-1)

Two-Month MVP: C/OF Evan Gattis

Given an opportunity to make the Opening Day roster with Brian McCann on the shelf, Gattis made the most of his chance and quickly played his way into everyday at-bats. Even with McCann now back, the Braves are finding ways to get his bat into the lineup on a regular basis, as he is hitting .269 with 12 home runs, 32 RBI and a .922 OPS.

Two-Month Cy Young: SP Mike Minor

Kris Medlen was the talk of baseball with his dominant second half last year, and that overshadowed a fantastic second half by Minor, who went 5-6 with a 5.97 ERA before the break and then 6-4 with a 2.16 ERA after. Minor has been their best starter so far this year, going 7-2 with a 2.48 ERA in 11 starts.

This Week's Opponents

vs. Pittsburgh Pirates (3)
at Los Angeles Dodgers (4) 

4. Pittsburgh Pirates (35-22, Previous: 4)

Last Week's Results: 4-3

at Detroit Tigers (1-1)
vs. Detroit Tigers (2-0)
vs. Cincinnati Reds (1-2)

Two-Month MVP: CF Andrew McCutchen

First-year starter Starling Marte got off to a torrid start, but he has cooled a bit and McCutchen is the team's offensive leader once again. After putting together an MVP-caliber season last year while establishing himself as a superstar, the 26-year-old is hitting .284 with seven home runs, 28 RBI and 36 runs scored.

Two-Month Cy Young: RP Jason Grilli

After putting up dominant numbers as a setup man the past two seasons, the 36-year-old Grilli was named closer following the trade of Joel Hanrahan. He's been better than anyone could have hoped so far, converting all 22 of his save chances with a 1.05 ERA and 41 strikeouts in 25.2 innings. Special mention to setup man Mark Melancon (30 G, 0.90 ERA) who has also been lights out.

This Week's Opponents

at Atlanta Braves (3)
at Chicago Cubs (3)

3. Cincinnati Reds (35-22, Previous: 6)

Last Week's Results: 4-3

vs. Cleveland Indians (2-0)
at Cleveland Indians (0-2)
at Pittsburgh Pirates (2-1)

Two-Month MVP: 2B Brandon Phillips

Joey Votto is having another terrific season with a team-best .993 OPS, but Phillips has nearly twice as many RBI as him with 45 to his 28, and he's been huge stepping into the cleanup spot in the lineup following the injury to Ryan Ludwick. The six-year, $72.5 million extension he signed last season is looking more and more like a fantastic move by Cincinnati.

Two-Month Cy Young: SP Mat Latos

With Johnny Cueto on the shelf early, Latos was more or less thrust into the role of staff ace at the beginning of the season. While Cueto is back now and pitching well, Latos gets the nod here for now. The big right-hander went 14-4 with a 3.48 ERA in his first season with the Reds last year, and he's 5-0 with a 3.01 ERA through his first 12 starts this season.

This Week's Opponents

vs. Colorado Rockies (3)
vs. St. Louis Cardinals (3) 

2. Texas Rangers (35-21, Previous: 3)

Last Week's Results: 3-3

at Arizona Diamondbacks (0-2)
vs. Arizona Diamondbacks (1-0)
vs. Kansas City Royals (2-1)

Two-Month MVP: 3B Adrian Beltre

Coming off of a season in which he hit .321 with 36 home runs and 102 RBI, finishing third in AL MVP voting, Beltre has once again been the team's best hitter. He currently has an .872 OPS to go along with 11 home runs and 34 RBI.

Two-Month Cy Young: SP Yu Darvish

Darvish showed flashes of the talent that made him such a hot commodity coming out of Japan last year, finishing his rookie season 16-9 with a 3.90 ERA and 221 strikeouts in 191.1 innings. He's taken the next step this year, and he is the unquestioned ace of the Rangers staff, currently sitting at 7-2 with a 2.77 ERA. The really impressive number, though, is his 111 strikeouts in 81.1 innings, as he has a chance to be the first 300-strikeout pitcher in a decade. 

This Week's Opponents

at Boston Red Sox (3)
at Toronto Blue Jays (3) 

1. St. Louis Cardinals (37-19, Previous: 1)

Last Week's Results: 5-2

at Kansas City Royals (2-0)
vs. Kansas City Royals (1-1)
vs. San Francisco Giants (2-1)

Two-Month MVP: C Yadier Molina

Coming off of a career year in which he hit .315 with 22 home runs and 76 RBI, all career highs, Molina is having a great season at the plate once again this year. He leads the team with a .347 average and has added 27 RBI and 22 runs scored. It used to be that his offense was just icing on the cake given how good a defender he is, but he's now the best all-around catcher in the game.

Two-Month Cy Young: RP Edward Mujica

An argument can certainly be made for rookie Shelby Miller (6-3, 1.82 ERA), and I went back and forth on this one, but in the end, I feel Mujica's unexpected contributions have been slightly more valuable. With Jason Motte on the DL and Mitchell Boggs struggling mightily in the early going, Mujica was handed the closer's role for the first time in his career. He's converted all 17 of his save chances with a 1.88 ERA, walking just one batter and striking out 22 in 24 innings.

This Week's Opponents

vs. Arizona Diamondbacks (4)
at Cincinnati Reds (3)